Brown Black Bear.

[Highland Lofts]

A friend shot this brown-black beers near Winthrop WA a few years ago. Over 600 pounds.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Here is a good explanation of color phases of black bears. That’s the term I use when describing a black bear if different colors, “It was a color phase black bear”. It seems to cut down on confusion somewhat.

https://bear.org/black-bear-color-phases/

 

[buck460XVR]

Here in Wisconi, Black bears are generally just that .......Black. The reason, as was explained to me years ago, is similar to the link that H&H posted. Evolution and natural selection. In areas where color phases either had a slight advantage or no real disadvantage, the color phases survived and passed on their genes. In areas where true black was most advantageous, those are the genes that survived. Seems the big thing lately for hunting Canadian Blackies is "color phase" bears. Wonder if that desire to pass on a "Black" bear and wait for a "colored" bear will make a difference in the averages.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Here in Wisconi, Black bears are generally just that .......Black. The reason, as was explained to me years ago, is similar to the link that H&H posted. Evolution and natural selection. In areas where color phases either had a slight advantage or no real disadvantage, the color phases survived and passed on their genes. In areas where true black was most advantageous, those are the genes that survived. Seems the big thing lately for hunting Canadian Blackies is "color phase" bears. Wonder if that desire to pass on a "Black" bear and wait for a "colored" bear will make a difference in the averages.

We get lots of “red” color phase bears out here in Colorado. However every bear I’ve put my kids on in Central Colorado have been coal black. I see “red” or “cinnamon” bears quite a bit while out and about and not hunting.

 

[WisBorn]

Memorial day a large Bear stepped out of the woods about 30 yards from my camper and walked away on a trail then dove into thick brush. About 10 people saw it. They all said it was tall skinny and had brown fur. I didn't see it but saw the tracks. Black Bear are common here but I have never seen a brown Black Bear. I assume it was a Black Bear. Anyone else ever see a brown Black Bear?

Did you see it in a hunting area? And do you have any desire to hunt them?

So many great cartridges for hunting black bears. I always thought a 45/70 in a lever action or 35 Whelen bolt for longer shots would be ideal!

 

[d2wing]

No not a hunting area. Lots of hunting within a few miles. No interest in shooting a bear because I wouldn't eat it and it takes a lot of time. No I wouldn't use a 45/70. 0r 35 Whelen. 30-06 does everything much better. That said I would use my 7-08 probably. Plenty for Black bear.

 

[memtb]

No not a hunting area. Lots of hunting within a few miles. No interest in shooting a bear because I wouldn't eat it and it takes a lot of time. No I wouldn't use a 45/70. 0r 35 Whelen. 30-06 does everything much better. That said I would use my 7-08 probably. Plenty for Black bear.

Of the four bear we’ve taken, 3 were spring bears fresh out of hibernation.....they were very good eating. Our “only” fall bear couldn’t be eaten. We almost had to evacuate the house when trying to cook it! Wow.....what an odor! He must have been feeding on something that “didn’t agree with us”! memtb

 

[old heeler]

Bears I hunt Co are black. I drew first rifle bear this year took few pt to get tag.